Barrier measurements
Uniquely compatible with clinical tools for clinically relevant data
The barrier function of skin is essential for human health. However, various factors, both endogenous and exogenous, can influence the performance and integrity of this tissue function. Numerous non-invasive instruments and methods have been developed to evaluate these areas of skin health in clinical settings. Measurements such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (through the quantification of skin capacitance) offer valuable insights into the interface of the skin with the ambient environment. Successful use of these probes rely on consistent contact with the skin surface and a consistent surface area within the probe apertures, which is often difficult to achieve in traditional ex vivo skin models lacking tension.
TEWL
Capacitance/hydration
TenSkin™ is uniquely designed to be compatible with these probes, allowing direct comparisons to clinical data. Utilizing these measurements, advanced studies on the performance of topical treatments are possible, including protection in adverse climate condition such as humid (90% rel. humidity) and dry (20% rel. humidity) environments.
Ki-67 Control (48 h)
A robust model for long term skin barrier assessment
The skin is a multilayered, mechanically complex tissue where elasticities of each layer can vary by several orders of magnitude. For example, the stratum corneum is -10-fold less elastic than the "live" layers of the epidermis and
-20-fold less elastic than the dermis. The TenSkinTM culture frame uniquely supports ex vivo skin tissue in an in vivo-like physical environment maintaining its mechanobiology in a similar fashion to how the underlying tissue on the body supports the skin.
TenSkin™ is an ideal ex vivo model for evaluation of dermal barrier properties. Here D-squame stripping discs are used to remove the stratum corneum, leading to an initial increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The tissue then recovers to near baseline levels within 4 days due to increased cell proliferation as determined by increased Ki67 expression.
Ki-67 Control (48 h)
Ki-67 Control (48 h)
Ki-67 Tape stripped (48 h)
Tapestripping results in a significant increase in keratinocyte proliferation as evidenced by a 6-fold increase in Ki-67 positive cells at 48 h when compared to untreated control tissue.